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We’ve seen it in the massive budget cuts to higher education, some of the biggest and most enduring in the nation. This, even as they somehow manage to find millions every year to support Koch-funded think tanks on campus.

Bill gives power to legislators

The Oro Valley Republican this week unveiled his latest proposal to dismantle the Board of Regents and set up individual boards to govern Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. But the real power – the power to set tuition and other vital policies – would fall to the governor and legislative leaders.

Expanding tax credits. At a time when we can’t properly fund public education, Senate Bill 1467 would expand tax credits to pay for private school tuition. This genius idea comes from Senate President Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, whose family has long profited from Student Tuition Organizations. Photo by Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Yet another tax cut. This time, our leaders want to eliminate a sales tax on digital streaming services and software remotely accessed over the internet. But they don’t know how much of a hit this tax cut would be to the state budget. House Bill 2479 already cleared the House last week and its twin, Senate Bill 1392, is awaiting a vote in the Senate. Photo by AP

English only, amigo. House Bill 2083 would make any insurance contract written in Spanish worthless in the event of a legal dispute.
Sponsor: Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria Photo by Mark Henle/The Republic

Redskins? Shhhh. HB 2499 would give any Arizona tribe the right to veto use of a term or image it found offensive at any publicly financed sports stadium or arena.
Bill's sponsor: Rep. Eric Descheenie, D-Chinle Photo by AP

Butt out, voters. HCR 2022 proposes that the state Legislature select party nominees for the U.S. Senate. No need for voters to concern themselves with the primary election.
Bill's sponsor: Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert Photo by Mark Henle/The Republic

Annual attempt to thwart citizen initiatives. SCR 1001 would limit ballot measures to “one subject” that must be spelled out in the initiative title. This, to make it more difficult for citizens to make laws via initiative.
Bill's sponsor: Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills Photo by David Kadlubowski/The Republic

That mustache better be real. HB 2007 would make it a crime to wear a disguise at a protest, political rally or other public event. First Amendment much?
Rep. Jay Lawrence, R-Scottsdale Photo by Pat Shannahan/The Republic

Go away, commies. HB 2277 would ban the use of public money to promote anything that opposes free-market capitalism. This to protect us from 'an alarmingly high percentage of individuals under 40' who apparently prefer socialism, fascism and communism, according to the bill's sponsor, Rep Bob Thorpe, R-Flagstaff. Photo by AP

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Finchem didn’t bring the bill through the normal process, one that requires hearings in both chambers over the course of several months and an opportunity for the bill to be comprehensively studied and fairly debated in the public eye.

A sneaky maneuver

Instead, he snuck it in as a 278-page strike-everything amendment to an unrelated issue.

House Bill 2203 – which already passed the House as a bill about wild lands – this week cleared the Senate Natural Resources, Water and Energy Committee as a bill eliminating the Board of Regents.

Think about it. A committee dealing with natural resources, water and energy will be the only public hearing for a proposal to fundamentally reshape Arizona’s university system.

But there’s a reason Arizona’s Constitution set up the Board of Regents to oversee the state’s university system. I imagine the state’s founders realized the folly of putting one of the state’s largest economic engines -- the one responsible for educating future generations of Arizonans -- into the hands of a bunch of politicians.